Club Med Columbus Isle


Review Jan 30-Feb 6, 2010

indiana
480 Posts
09
Feb
2010
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Thanks to the last minute special without single supplement, I was able to visit this village for the first time. I thought I had a deal, but I foud out some GMs received a better rate by e-mail. Spirit connects via Ft Lauderdale on Saturdays ( airbus 319) with a flight time of 65 min. The San Salvador airport is quite simple, and efficient. CM time is one hous ahead of the island time and the EST. CM charter from Paris arrives on Wednesday, and from Montreal on Friday. There is only one flight to Nassau, everday of the week. Airport is within walking distance from the village.
I had reserved for the basic room, but I was given an ocean front room, at a high category. The room was very nice ( the only the equivalent I had seen was in Crested Butte), it had a refrigerator, a king size bed, a CD player/radio/alarm clock, a couch, an arm chair, and two safe deposit boxes. I had a private balcony with two chairs and a coffee table. I could not find any radio station. I did not want to watch TV. I wish I had some CDs. I used the telephone to enter wake-up calls, it worked perfectly. Bottled water was free in the room. My silver member gift was a Bahamas made aromatic candle. I was personally recognized on the welcome card in the room.There were plenty of repeat visitors to CM, and to this village as well. These, I believe, represent the core customer base, which CM should not ignore (sometimes it does). The food was very good, there were may chef specials every lunch and dinner. There were two specialty restaurants ( one for seafood, and the other, rodizio dinner) but they were open few days a week. I ate once at the seafood restaurant, and the reservation line at 10 AM was long. Village has capacity of 500 guests, at that time guest # was 280-290. Bar liquor quality was quite good. One outside bar had martini theme at two different nights. The white night and the dinner around the pool was on Tuesday(due to Paris charter leaving on Wednesday). The CDV, Karim Dos santos, gave a reception to US originating GMs on Monday. He was visible in the village, although he never moderated a cray sign ( first time I had seen this happenning in CM). In fact there was a determination not do do crazy signes more than two, sometimes only one, at noon and after the show. The shows were mediocre, with multiple repeats ( a disadvantage of going to CM frequently). The bar generally closed at 1 AM, with very few exceptions, and one day at midnight. The village crowd was not very playful, but people would participate the games. I believe the corporate suppression of animation and night life persists in full swing, and sport GOs are not good animators. I cannot blame on the GMs, people tried to enjoy the night if the music was good. The CM had dedicated animation team for decades,; now we do not have it ( watch the 'New CM'), and I feel the difference. The GOs were shy from instigating parties. I did not have any difficulty interacting with the GOs, but I am a veteran GM. The first time visitors would have felt different. The village, the sky, the stars and the ocean were pretty at night; unfortumately few people witnessed it.
SCUBA was strong, the morning boat left at 8:15 AM. A GM who dived for six days received a free night dive ( I did not dive, although I had CM certification before receing my PADI certification). Emphasis was given on fitness and tennis. We did Zumba twice a day ( 40 min), and cardio kickbox in the morning (20 min, since the GO had to go to aqua gym) at the patio in front of the beach bar. Sport medals were give on Tuesday, and I won a fitness medal (again). 9 AM Power walk was well attended by the GMs. It is an opportunity to see outside the village, to meet other people and a new GO). Cockburn Town is approximately 40-45 min walk from the village square. I visited the presumed Columbus landing site, the locals gave me partial lift in both directions. I believe the island is safe, few inhabitants, plenty of churches. A history museum in the town is work in progress.
CM occupies a large piece of land, at it is the dominant resort in the island. I was opened in 1991. The original designer was inspired by the Asian cultures. There are plenty of decorations in the village. A GO, who had been there for a long time, conducted a cultural tour of the village on Sunday. There were some GOs whom I had met in Turkoise and Sandpiper in 2009. There were also few new GOs, who had never beeen to CM before. I noticed few GEs at the bar, in process of learning. CM glitches were fewer than the other villages.
I received the following day's program in my room everyday except one, an opportunity to plan the next day and prepare for the dress code. The dress codes were: Jan 30 Saturday -elegant; Jan 31 Sunday- pink&white, Feb 1 monday- jeans&white top, Feb 2 Tuesday-white, Feb3 Wednesday-black, Feb 4 Thursday- elegant, Feb 5 Friday- elegant ( I was not prepared for 3 elegant nights in a week, a first in my 34 different CM trips. I ran out of elegant clothes. GOs wore black. Is this part of the 'upscale' trend?). The internet was free, and there were three terminals (sometimes they were slow). The village was generally in good shape.The GOs did not appear to be unhappy. The beach, I think, was more beautiful than Turkoise, however the sandflies were as active. The island is like Turkoise 25 years ago, one can be in a beach all alone. On the day of departure, one could reserve a room for 30 min to change and to take a shower, for free. Ther return flight to Ft Lauderdale was efficient. The airplane check in and luggage search were done in the village. Due to the snow storm in th East Coast, some GMs were offered to stay at Sandpiper ( due to superbowl, the hotels at Ft Lauderdale were full). I saw a CM rep at the airport beyond customs helping GMs, a nice coordination.
This is a good facility for sports, great food, very good beach. Water ski is available during the summer. There were very few children. If you think bar closing early is a problem, bring you favorite from the Ft Lauderdale duty free, and your boombox. Considering the cost and the time spent accessing the village, the quality of food and the infrastructure, I think North American GMs should consider Columbus Isle over Turkoise.
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SandraGroot
174 Posts
09
Feb
2010
Thanks for your really nice story about Columbus, sounds like much fun!

'09 Vittel, Albion, La Pointe
'08 Les Deux Alpes, Opio, Vittel
'07 Agadir + Marrakech

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John-Chicago
1356 Posts
09
Feb
2010
Thanks for a very thorough review. I had noticed when I was there about 6 years ago that the group from France was a much older crowd than the Americans or the Canadians. Did you see the same thing? BTW, the offer of the rooms at Sandpiper to the East coast GM's was a very classy thing to do. However, the ongoing Corporate suppression is a little disturbing, although not surprising. Although it is a relatively quiet club, I enjoyed my stay there and made many good friends with whom I am still in contact. As a matter of fact, one of the GO's that worked there is now a volunteer in the Vancouver Olympics and I am getting daily updates from her.

John
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Chicago Jim
889 Posts
09
Feb
2010
Great write up! Good point about the multiple elegant nights being a sign of the upscale switch. However, I do think some of the younger people are more into getting dressed up than my generation was. This club is on our list to go to although the flights seem tough.

Jim
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indiana
480 Posts
09
Feb
2010
The Paris charter carried some Italians, the Ft Lauderdale charter carried some Argentineans. The Paris group seemed a little younger in age; but of course anyone with CM spirit is always young. I met a young honeymooning couple from France. Many French had been to CM before, and some closed the bar/disco with me. I did not see anybody not willing to communicate in a non-native language, if possible. When I joined the leading GO for the sundance and negotiated a third song, I noticed some departing Paris group immediately paticipating the dance. At another instant, I asked the leading GO to do six crazy signs in the evening, I am told that I am the only one who wants six ( see the mentality). Next time I should start collecting signatures for a petition, as soon as the the flight to San Salvador reaches the cruising altitude.
I did not see much dressing-up among GMs, may be nobody was ready for three elegant nights. In my prior trip to Otranto in September, one night was 'elegant', and the other night was 'smart' ( which meant elegant when I inquired). The Italian ladies really looked good, but they always did ( I believe cultural).
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Seattle Craig
659 Posts
10
Feb
2010
Really nice review. Lot's of important details for veteran GMs. I have been to CI once and liked it.
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John-Chicago
1356 Posts
10
Feb
2010
Indiana writes:

The Italian ladies really looked good, but they always did ( I believe cultural).

This brought a smile to my face. When I was in Tuscany two years ago, I asked an Italian lawyer why did the Italian women (and men, too) appear to dress so well? He gave me a blank stare and said, Because we are Italian. We dress up to get the mail. Then he asked me a question, Why do the Americans wear white sneakers all the time? I was too embarrassed to answer. BTW, an American friend of mine, who worked in Paris for two years with IBM, said that the Italian and French women were, by far, the best dressed in Europe.

John
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indiana
480 Posts
11
Feb
2010
One evening was multicultural. The GOs manned boothes representing their country of origin. The Italian booth had house red and white wine, with some female GOs appearing quite energetic. I saw two wines labeled D&G. I asked what they were, and I was told proudly " Of course Dolce and Gabbana". I was excited to have the opportunity to taste a D&G wine, ( I did not know that it existed), then I was told they were the house wine. The Italian team did not miss the occasion to display their perceived cultural elegance, even if it was an image.
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Kiki de M
2828 Posts
11
Feb
2010
Indiana,
Thanks for your detailled review. Columbus has been on my list for a while already. As much as I'd love to go while Karim, Righetto, Vissen (bar), etc. are still there, not sure, I'll make it, as La Pointe is getting closer and closer...

Incidentally, with Karim (Dos Santos) in 2008 in Phuket, he did the multicultural evening as well (both in May and October). I think it's a nice occasion for the GOs to present their own country. As for the Italians, I believe Righetto (is he still the event and sports manager, or is it called 'leisure manager'?) must have been happy.

And I agree about Italian women being among the best dressed ones in the world, even better than the French.

Out of freezing Switzerland with snow and ice and fog, sometimes some sun.
I want spring to come asap!!!!
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John-Chicago
1356 Posts
11
Feb
2010
Kiki,

I have never seen the multicultural evenings, although I think that it is a tremendous idea. It is sort of "old school", emphasizing the diversity of the club, GM's and GO's alike. It certainly would work at Phuket which typically has more nationalities than any club.

I TOTALLY agree with you about our desire for Spring. We just had 25cm of snow earlier this week, and it won't get above freezing for another week. Come on Spring!

John
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Kiki de M
2828 Posts
11
Feb
2010
Hm... those evenings are possibly a 'Karim Dos Santos' thing, because I've never seen it with any other CDV.
What I liked particularly: the GOs did wear a typical dress, presented different typical food and customs, one could learn a couple of basic words and have other information about their country like what month is best to visit, etc.
In my Phuket photo album, I did post some pics of those evenings.
Here's one of the Indonesian GOs (one has to jump over those bamboo sticks and try to avoid getting hit as they're constantly being moved):
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John-Chicago
1356 Posts
12
Feb
2010
I will repeat myself (Club Med Paris are you listening?), I think that this idea is a very cool thing, and very educational as well. It also shows respect for the culture of the country where the GO's are from. I'd like to see it at all Clubs.

John
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Kiki de M
2828 Posts
12
Feb
2010
John,

I believe it's mainly the CDV and his event manager who decide (depending on their GO team also) what events can/should be done.

IMO, multicultural evenings are especially interesting in the Asian villages, since you'll find so many nationalities gathered there (Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian, Japanese, Korean, Taiwan, Chinese, Mauritian, Australian, South African, etc. and then some Europeans as well).

Same thing goes for the GM gold and silver members regarding the welcome gift. The CDV decides, possibly with his PR GO, what would be appropropriate, welcomed and within budget.
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John-Chicago
1356 Posts
13
Feb
2010
I agree, Kiki, the Asian clubs have incredible diversity. That's probably why they are among my favorites. Of course that gorgeous landscaping, fantastic food, excellent boutiques, and great excursions don't hurt . The concept wouldn't work as well at Columbus Isle or the Turks.

John

PS: On that note, Happy Chinese New Year, the year of the Tiger.
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ReefPolice
315 Posts
13
Feb
2010
Nice to read your review, and it sounds as if you had a great experience. We have been spending many weeks each year at Columbus Isle since this beautiful Village first opened. (Many other trips to other Villages around the world as well, but this is our current favorite.) Columbus Isle always had a more upscale vibe, from the very beginning. I think the dressing up in the evening is also a reflection of the fact that this Village tends to attract a slightly older and more European crowd than Turks, Cancun, or other Villages in the American zone. In general, the French & Italian women GM's pack high heels & fancier evening wear; the American & Candian women rarely do for this sort of vacation. Everyone's pretty relaxed and very friendly, though, regardless of nationality. It's a really lovely vibe. In our 35+ years as frequent GM's, we have rarely found a Village where so many GM's regularly return at the same time each year as Columbus Isle, especially the divers. And because the Europeans take longer vacations, they are there for weeks at a time (as we are) and one can really get to know a lot of people. It is almost guaranteed that there will always be many familiar faces on the dive boat, at the Bar, in the restaurants, etc. It really enhances the sense of coming "home", which of course makes those of us who are regulars want to keep coming back. It's a very special Village; glad you had a chance to find out for yourself.
(By the way, one of the reasons it's quieter at night is that there are so many divers who need to be up early for that 8:15 dive boat. Those of us "of a certain age" can't burn the candle at both ends any more, not as we did 30 years ago at Martinique or when Cancun first opened! But also there are always fewer singles at Columbus Isle, and even those who do come solo are generally divers.)
The island is very safe, by the way. Many of the GE's who work in the Village have been there for years (we've had the same maid for almost 10 years, since we always request the same room); and the people who live on the island are all their relatives and friends. Everyone on San Sal knows everyone else. (Even the airport chief of security used to be one of the Club dive boat captains.)

Adria
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indiana
480 Posts
27
Feb
2010
For the pictures of this and the previous week see, http://picasaweb.google.com/bibi.birgit . They are taken by a veteran GM and a diver, Bibi, whom I recognized on the first day because of her photos posted at this site.
I heard from one GM that she stayed at Sandpiper for two days as a guest of CM ( she was not the only one) , since her flight was cancelled due to weather. CM did not ask anything for the stay and r/t tranfer from FLL airport, an unusual gesture.
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Marcus
479 Posts
27
Feb
2010
Wonder if a singles week at CI is possible? Bueller? I love Turks but a change would be nice!

Marcus..

El Presidente for Life!
Calvin and Hobbes Fan Club
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indiana
480 Posts
27
Feb
2010
Good idea, needs organization, and a boombox( since music ends at 1AM). The village is much better than Turks, access is easier.
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Marcus
479 Posts
27
Feb
2010
Will put out the word to Club Med and Marion Smith....
Thank Indy!

El Presidente for Life!
Calvin and Hobbes Fan Club
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Marcus
479 Posts
27
Feb
2010
Different Direction of thought need opinion!
Punta Cana 6/6-6/13 they are having Food and Wine...
JetBlue supercheap $412! nonstop New York....bad news-$1785 land!
Thats for a single but a chunk of change for a week at CM...
Hopefully will be deals...any thoughts?

El Presidente for Life!
Calvin and Hobbes Fan Club
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indiana
480 Posts
07
Mar
2010
Theme weeks are pricy at CM, and early summer is peak season (the schools are closed). I prefer singles' week (hopefully with playful singles) during off-season, for better prices. I do not mind doing it in Sandpiper when the schools are open, if the CDV gives me the keys of the village and the GO team, no strings attached.
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Trish
476 Posts
01
Jun
2010
Indiana,

Sorry to reply so late, but I noticed you said you wished you had brought CDs for the room. You didn't by chance notice if there was one of those aux-in ports (I think it's called) that you can use with an iPod? I would kind of doubt it, but thought I would ask.

thanks!
Trish

Dive now; work later!
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indiana
480 Posts
04
Jun
2010
I did not check for any port in the cd player; also I do not have an ipod.
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CVanasse
13 Posts
18
Jun
2010
Yes, there was an iPod docking port in my room last April.

Charles
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